SIMSBURY STUDENT IS TOP WINNER OF CT VETERANS PARADE ESSAY CONTEST

Lauren Schneiderman / Hartford Courant

Sean Connolly, Commissioner of the CT Department of Veterans Affairs, awards the three honored students Daniel Harper, 6th grader in East Hartford, Rachel Coppinger a 7th grader at Henry James Memorial School in Simsbury and Jessica Talasco a 6th grader at Wells Road Intermediate School in Granby (left to right) of the Connecticut Veterans Parade Essay Contest with an award at the State Capital.

Sean Connolly, Commissioner of the CT Department of Veterans Affairs, awards the three honored students Daniel Harper, 6th grader in East Hartford, Rachel Coppinger a 7th grader at Henry James Memorial School in Simsbury and Jessica Talasco a 6th grader at Wells Road Intermediate School in Granby (left to right) of the Connecticut Veterans Parade Essay Contest with an award at the State Capital.

(Lauren Schneiderman / Hartford Courant)

Community Contributor Laura Soll

Rachel Coppinger of West Simsbury is the First Place winner of the 2015 Connecticut Veterans Parade essay contest, a statewide competition that asked middle school students to write an essay addressing the question, "Why Should We Honor Veterans?" Rachel is a 7th grader at Henry James Memorial Middle School in Simsbury.

The two Runners-Up are Daniel Harper of East Hartford, a 6th grader who is home-schooled, and Jessie Talasco of Granby, a 6th grader at Wells Road Intermediate School.

The Connecticut Veterans Parade essay contest is presented by The Navy League of the U.S. - Hartford Council and the State of Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs. All three students will read their winning essays at a special ceremony in the Connecticut State Capitol's Hall of Flags on Wednesday, November 4 at 4:00 p.m. The public is invited and admission is free.

As the First Place winner, Rachel will ride with one guest in a special vehicle in the 16th annual Connecticut Veterans Parade on Sunday, November 8 at 12:30 p.m. in Hartford. In recognition of her achievement, she also will receive an American flag that has flown over the Connecticut State Capitol Building.

The annual essay contest was developed to encourage Connecticut's 6th, 7th and 8th grade students to learn more about the heroism and importance of American servicemen and women throughout our nation's history. More than 100 entries were received from across the state. The judging criteria were: power of the message of the essay; clarity of thought; spelling, punctuation and grammar; and overall comprehension of the topic. A panel of judges selected the first place winner and the two runners-up.

The 16th Connecticut Veterans Parade, the largest salute to veterans in New England, will honor the dedication and sacrifices of servicemen and women from all U.S. conflicts, and offers residents the opportunity to express their thanks in a meaningful way. Musical units, including the Central Connecticut State University Marching Band and high school, middle school, fife & drum and pipe & drum bands also will march.

Parade features will include a 1:30 p.m. tolling of church bells and Moment of Silence when the parade will pause in observance of veterans who died while serving their country, followed by the singing of the National Anthem by Bloomfield resident Tony Harrington. The parade will be preceded at 11:30 a.m. by a Wreath-Laying Ceremony to remember veterans at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch at Jewell St. and Trinity St. in Hartford's Bushnell Park, featuring a color guard, bands, and a bugler. During the parade, volunteers will hand out American flags and "Thank You, Veterans!" signage and sell commemorative 2015 Parade lapel pins at $4 apiece to help pay for parade operations. Pins also can be purchased now at www.CTVeteransParade.org